Yesterday afternoon (9/1), the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) announced an order that would temporarily halt residential evictions nationwide from September 4th, 2020 to December 31, 2020. The order is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on Friday, Sept. 4th.
The order is meant to prevent the spread of the coronavirus by linking broad public health and COVID-19 risk to access to housing. Preventing evictions reduces potential COVID-19 exposure by keeping people housed, out of shelters, and away from other overcrowded living situations (such as families doubling up in one apartment) where avoiding shared spaces/objects and social distancing are difficult to maintain.
All residential rental properties in the United States and its territories, including privately held and unsubsidized housing, are covered by the order.
Tenants will need to provide landlords/property managers with a signed declaration that they meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Expect annual income in 2020 of less than $99,000 OR were not required to file a 2019 tax return OR received an Economic Impact Payment pursuant to the CARES Act (“stimulus check”).
- Are unable to pay rent due to substantial income loss, lay-offs, or extraordinary out-of-pocket medical expenses.
- Have made “best efforts” to obtain all available government assistance.
Additionally tenants will need to declare that they agree to the following:
- Making “best efforts” to make timely partial payments
- If evicted, they would become homeless, need to move into shelter, or move into other congregate-style living quarters because they have “no other available housing options.”
The CDC order does not eliminate the obligation to pay rent and does not prevent the application of additional fees, penalties, or late charges. According to the order, landlords who do not adhere to the restrictions may face criminal charges.
The Coalition is conducting further examination of the order and its impacts and will share additional information and analysis as soon as possible.
Please join us for a Special Policy Call tomorrow (Thursday Sept. 3rd) at 11am to review and discuss the CDC order. Affordable housing expert, consultant and attorney, Mark Shelburne of Novogradac will join us to provide additional insight on the order’s impacts and process.
- Thursday 9/3, 11:00 am
- Phone: 712-770-5505 / Code: 532454#
